Lively discussions on the graphic arts and publishing — in print or on the web

Preston · 05-02-2012, 05:30 PM

My publishing company produces high quality color books. We scan in old comic strips and color correct them. I need a good printer to proof our pages before we send the files to the printer. We had an old HP 3800 and liked it. I've narrowed down my options to the HP 5525 or the Xerox 7800. Both have calibration, duplexing and tabloid size. Can anyone tell me which is better?

Robin Springall · 05-04-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Preston

HP 5525 or the Xerox 7800... Can anyone tell me which is better?

Gosh, that's a very specific question! I found HP printers didn't give accurate colours, and Xerox machines were often rebranded (and more expensive) versions of other manufacturers' models, but perhaps I'm out of date

The trick, I guess, is to do test prints of a number of PDFs which you've already had litho printed, then see which printer gives you results that most closely match the litho.

Over the last 20-odd years I've had HP, Xerox, Oki, Tektronics, Canon, Epson, and now a Konica-Minolta C253 which is the best so far by miles.

Preston · 05-07-2012, 12:32 PM

I've got HP and Xerox reps outputting pdf's now. But I'd rather rely on someone in the real world for advice.

Robin Springall · 05-08-2012, 11:12 AM

Well, I'd probably go with whichever printer produces PDFs that are closest to your litho output for starters, then look at how much the machine will cost you over its life (or its lease). If you just pay a click charge, you should be able to get free parts & labour warranty, a 4-hour engineer's reponse, and free toner these days.

curveto · 05-14-2012, 08:22 PM

I have a low click (bank repo) Xerox 7760GX (which may be the predecessor to the Xerox you mentioned) that I bought off EBay for $1200 (US ... retail for the machine was ~$5400). It's the first (non-photo-centric inkjet) printer I've encountered that a) didn't cost > 100k and b) exhibited "offset or better" quality. I have some samples on thin, semi-gloss paper (a la ChromeKote but not ... I can get the paper name if you want) that are a really good match to offset reference materials I've seen. Its PostScript manners are first rate too.

Very happy with it.

Sandyrobert · 11-18-2012, 08:15 PM

These printers like Epson Stylus Pro WT7900,Xerox 7760GX and Epson 7800 may also be useful.

05-02-2012, 05:30 PM	#1
Preston Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4	Best printer for color proofing My publishing company produces high quality color books. We scan in old comic strips and color correct them. I need a good printer to proof our pages before we send the files to the printer. We had an old HP 3800 and liked it. I've narrowed down my options to the HP 5525 or the Xerox 7800. Both have calibration, duplexing and tabloid size. Can anyone tell me which is better?

05-08-2012, 11:12 AM	#4
Robin Springall Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ealing Common, London W5, where I duplicate CDs and DVDs. Posts: 1,233	Well, I'd probably go with whichever printer produces PDFs that are closest to your litho output for starters, then look at how much the machine will cost you over its life (or its lease). If you just pay a click charge, you should be able to get free parts & labour warranty, a 4-hour engineer's reponse, and free toner these days. __________________ Robin Intellectually challenged, alcoholically propelled

11-18-2012, 08:15 PM	#6
Sandyrobert Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 1	These printers like Epson Stylus Pro WT7900,Xerox 7760GX and Epson 7800 may also be useful. __________________ printing solution

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05-07-2012, 12:32 PM	#3
Preston Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4	I've got HP and Xerox reps outputting pdf's now. But I'd rather rely on someone in the real world for advice.

05-14-2012, 08:22 PM	#5
curveto Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: some room with white padded walls ... now surrounded by Saguaro Cacti Posts: 314	I have a low click (bank repo) Xerox 7760GX (which may be the predecessor to the Xerox you mentioned) that I bought off EBay for $1200 (US ... retail for the machine was ~$5400). It's the first (non-photo-centric inkjet) printer I've encountered that a) didn't cost > 100k and b) exhibited "offset or better" quality. I have some samples on thin, semi-gloss paper (a la ChromeKote but not ... I can get the paper name if you want) that are a really good match to offset reference materials I've seen. Its PostScript manners are first rate too. Very happy with it.